Bangladesh university students tortured, expelled over alleged sexuality
Extremist students called for ‘cleansing’ of sexual minorities from Bangladesh university
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses deep concern over an incident at Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology (DUET) where seven students were detained and tortured in their dormitories on July 19, 2025, merely on the accusation of being homosexual, and were subsequently temporarily expelled from their dorms on July 22 and 24 by the university administration.
According to reports in Bangladeshi newspapers and reliable JMBF sources, on the night of July 19, a group of religiously radical students detained several students in guest rooms of two dormitories, accusing them of homosexuality and subjecting them to physical and mental torture. Subsequently, these radical students filed written complaints with the university administration. Without proper investigation or adherence to minimum human rights standards, the administration temporarily expelled seven students from the dormitories on July 22 and 24 solely based on their alleged sexual orientation.
On July 24, a group of extremist students protested on campus demanding a “cleansing operation” against all homosexual students. The administration appeared to tolerate the hateful rhetoric and threats, turning the university into a haven for hatred and violence.
JMBF calls for the immediate withdrawal of the university’s decision, the creation of an environment free from discrimination, hatred, and fear for the affected students, and demands a swift, transparent international investigation leading to exemplary punishment of those responsible, whether students or university officials.
JMBF firmly believes that no person’s sexual orientation is a crime. According to the Bangladesh Constitution and international human rights agreements, every individual has the right to identity, security, and dignity. Therefore, the university authority’s decision is inhumane, undemocratic, and discriminatory; it violates individual freedom and transforms the educational institution into a site of hatred and oppression.
JMBF also believes that this incident has allowed religious extremists among students to take justice into their own hands, while the administration’s shameless bias is a serious concern. A full investigation is urgently needed to ensure the security and rehabilitation of the affected students and hold those responsible accountable.
“This incident has hurt our conscience not only in Bangladesh but internationally. Educational institutions should be places of safety, respect, and equality. What happened at DUET is a blatant human rights violation. We at JMBF stand firmly against this persecution and demand accountability on the international stage,” JMBF chief advisor Robert Simon says.
“This incident at DUET is not isolated in Bangladesh but reflects widespread violence, discrimination, killings, physical torture, and dismissals against sexual minorities and homosexuals during the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. This event destroys not only the future of students but also pushes the entire society toward hatred and violence. Bangladesh’s constitution is against discrimination, yet the harshest human rights violations happen right at the university gates. We demand a full investigation, rehabilitation of the expelled students, and accountability of the administration,” JMBF founder Shahanur Islam says.
JMBF Demands:
- Immediate reinstatement of expelled students: Those expelled solely based on their actual or alleged sexual orientation must be reinstated immediately. Their expulsion violates the constitution, human rights, and the university’s moral responsibility and poses a serious threat to student safety, education, and mental health.
- Impartial, transparent, and human rights-based investigation: A non-biased, transparent investigation committee including human rights organizations must be formed to uncover the truth. The committee should carefully consider testimonies, evidence, and the mental harm suffered by the victims.
- Ensure a respectful, safe, and inclusive campus environment for sexual diversity: The university must provide a safe, dignified, and diversity-friendly education system for all students, including awareness programs, training, and counseling services on gender and sexual diversity.
- Punitive action against instigators and persecutors: Those who perpetrated persecution fueled by religious extremism and hatred, causing fear and discrimination, must face administrative and legal consequences. Anyone responsible—student, teacher, or official—must be held accountable after investigation.
- Rehabilitation and mental health support for victims: Students who suffered discrimination, persecution, and expulsion must receive mental health rehabilitation and academic compensation, with access to counseling services if necessary.
- Establish an independent grievance cell for student rights protection: To prevent future discrimination and enable students to report complaints safely, an independent “Student Rights Grievance Cell” must be established to receive and resolve complaints related to sexuality, gender, race, religion, or belief.
JMBF believes education and humanity can never justify destroying anyone’s life or future based on sexual identity. JMBF remains steadfast in the pursuit of justice against persecution.
